Anas b. Malik reported that when Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) happened to pass by young boys he would great them. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sayyar with the same chain of transmitters.
No. 5392
Sayyar reported: I was walking with Thibit al-Bunani that he happened to pass by children and he greeted them. And Thibit reported that he walked with Anas and he happened to pass by children and he greeted them. and Anas reported that he walked with Allaah's Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) and he happened, to pass by children and he greeted them.